THEBIGISSUE.ORG.AU 9–22 FEB 2018 25
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SYDNEY’S MARDI GRAS – it’s warm weather that comes
to mind: hot pants; torsos glistening with sweat; flags
billowing as the water of Sydney Harbour gives you a blue
wink. But 40 years ago, the first Mardi Gras was held in
late June, and it was cold. In 1978, Mardi Gras wasn’t
a joyous celebration and a mass sprinkling of glitter on
Oxford Street; it was a protest.
“What you need to understand is that it didn’t start
in 1978, it started well before,” explains Titi Chartay, a
long-time activist and an original “78er”. “One of the big
issues at the time was to decriminalise homosexuality
[this didn’t happen in NSW until 1984], but by the time
we get to 1978 there hadn’t been much movement,” adds
Chartay. “People were a bit weary of the same-old demos.
Quite literally it was a few people sitting around in a
living room in Sydney, and someone said, ‘Hey why don’t
we have a Mardi Gras like they do in Rio de Janeiro?’”
So, on 24 June, to promote the forthcoming National
Homosexual Conference and as solidarity with San
Francisco’s Gay Freedom Day, a parade was held.
“The point was, yeah we need to fight for our rights
and stop police attacks,” says Chartay, “but also to
celebrate who we are, as people, as a community. It was
fun...initially.”
But when the parade reached Hyde Park, things
quickly escalated. Police confiscated the main float
car, and things got violent. Fifty-three people were
arrested. The Sydney Morning Herald published the
names, occupations and home addresses of all of them.
Chartay was part of a dogged group outside that held
vigils, protest marches at police stations and raised the
thousands of dollars needed for bail and fines. Many lost
their jobs. But the next year, they showed up again.
“People were nervous for the second one. There was a
fear that it could get ugly again. But you can’t capitulate.
It’s as simple as that,” says Chartay. “When you’re fighting
for rights, it’s not something you do casually.”
In 1980 a post-parade party was added; in 1981
the event was moved to summer to take advantage
of Sydney’s warmer climes. And, year after year, they
kept showing up. Now co-chair of the Original 78ers
Collective, Chartay hasn’t missed a year.
“You can actually chart social changes by participation
and responses to the Mardi Gras over the last four
decades,” she points out. “You end up now having people
from the armed forces and police marching.”
Other than making her feel like she is getting old, the
40th anniversary celebration is a reminder to Chartay of
how important it is to persevere in the fight for equality.
“I’m an absolute believer in the maxim that you never
take anything for granted. But I’m also a great believer in
humour, and being joyous about living our lives.”
by Katherine Smyrk (@KSmyrk), Deputy Editor
» Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is on
16 February-4 March.